China's Grand Canal, Silk Road added to World Heritage list

The vast inland waterway system in the north-eastern and central eastern plains passes through eight of the country's present-day provinces and municipalities. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's Grand Canal, the longest artificial waterway in the world, was inscribed on the World Heritage list here on Sunday.

The Grand Canal with a history of more than 2,400 years was recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Committee which convened its 38th session in the Qatari capital.

The 1,794-km canal runs from Beijing to Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province.

The famous ancient Silk Road, which served as a corridor for trade and cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe dating back to 2,000 years ago, was also inscribed on the World Heritage list here on Sunday.

Jointly submitted by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the application for adding part of the millennium-old trade route to the UNESCO list was approved by the World Heritage Committee at a session in the Qatari capital.